Methods and systems for remotely accessing a digital television terminal via a global communication network

• US 20040047599A1
• Filed: 09/05/2002
• Published: 03/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Instrument Corporation (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: General Instrument Corporation (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Grzeczkowski, Richard S.
• Application Number:
  US10/236,574
• Publication Number:
  US 20040047599A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 386/83
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4227 Providing Remote input by a user located remotely from the client device, e.g. at work
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4755 for defining user preferences, e.g. favourite actors or genre retrieval personalisation and generation of user profiles for the retrieval of video data G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4882 for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders arrangements for providing short real-time information to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/782 on tape
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

The present invention provides methods and systems for remotely accessing a digital television terminal via a global communication network. In one example embodiment, a remote device adapted for connection to the digital television terminal via a global communication network is provided. An interface which is downloadable to the remote device via the global communication network enables the remote device to communicate with the digital television terminal. Once the interface is downloaded, the remote device is enabled to remotely access and control the digital television terminal.

Claims

1. A method for remotely accessing a digital television terminal via a global communication network, comprising the steps of:

establishing a connection over the global communication network between a remote device and the digital television terminal;

downloading an interface to the remote device to enable communication with the digital television terminal; and

remotely accessing the television terminal via the remote device.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said remote device comprises one of a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, an Internet appliance, or a cellular telephone.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising remotely programming the digital television terminal to record a program.

4. A method in accordance with claim 3, wherein the digital television terminal comprises a digital video recording device.

5. A method in accordance with claim 3, wherein the program is recorded on a recording device associated with the digital television terminal.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising remotely programming the digital television terminal to provide reminders for start times of desired programs.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising providing a server between the global communication network and a television network to enable said connection between the remote device and the digital television terminal.

8. A method in accordance with claim 7, wherein said server is located at a television system headend.

9. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising sending messages from the remote device to the digital television terminal for display on an associated display device.

10. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising remotely programming parental control parameters of the digital television terminal.

11. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising remotely requesting service from a system operator for said digital television terminal.

12. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising providing access to a user'"'"'s television account information via said remote device.

13. A method in accordance with claim 12, further comprising enabling modifications to said account via said remote device.

14. A method in accordance with claim 13, wherein said modifications include at least one of paying an account balance, changing programming options, canceling services, or terminating the account.

15. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

sending a command from the remote device to the digital television terminal; and

sending a reply from the digital television terminal to the remote device acknowledging receipt of the command.

16. A method in accordance with claim 15, wherein said command comprises one of a record program command, a program reminder command, or a parental control command.

17. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said interface is downloadable from a television system headend.

18. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said interface is downloadable from a third party provider via the global communication network

19. A system for remotely accessing a digital television terminal, comprising:

a remote device adapted for connection to the digital television terminal via a global communication network; and

an interface downloadable to the remote device via the global communication network to enable the remote device to communicate with the digital television terminal;

wherein;

the remote device is enabled to remotely access the digital television terminal.

20. A system in accordance with claim 19, wherein said remote device comprises one of a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, an Internet appliance, or a cellular telephone.

21. A system in accordance with claim 19, wherein said digital television terminal is remotely programmed to record a program.

22. A system in accordance with claim 21, wherein said digital television terminal comprises a digital video recording device.

23. A system in accordance with claim 21, wherein the program is recorded on a recording device associated with the digital television terminal.

24. A system in accordance with claim 19, wherein the digital television terminal is remotely programmed to provide reminders for start times of desired programs.

25. A system in accordance with claim 19, further comprising a server between the global communication network and a television network to enable the connection between the remote device and the digital television terminal.

26. A system in accordance with claim 25, wherein said server is located at a television system headend.

27. A system in accordance with claim 19, wherein the remote device is enabled for sending messages to the digital television terminal for display on an associated display device.

28. A system in accordance with claim 19, wherein parental control parameters of the digital television terminal are remotely programmed.

29. A system in accordance with claim 19, wherein service is remotely requested from a system operator for said digital television terminal.

30. A system in accordance with claim 19, wherein access to a user'"'"'s television account information is provided via said remote device.

31. A system in accordance with claim 30, wherein said account is modified via said remote device.

32. A system in accordance with claim 31, wherein said modifications include at least one of paying an account balance, changing programming options, canceling services, or terminating the account.

33. A system in accordance with claim 19, wherein:

a command is sent from the remote device to the digital television terminal; and

a reply is sent from the digital television terminal to the remote device acknowledging receipt of the command.

34. A system in accordance with claim 33, wherein said command comprises one of a record program command, a program reminder command, or a parental control command.

35. A system in accordance with claim 19, wherein said interface is downloadable from a television system headend.

36. A system in accordance with claim 19, wherein said interface is downloadable from a third party provider via the global communication network.